The 3 Best Memory Care Facilities in Erie County, PA for 2023

Erie County is home to 274,541 people, and 17.3 percent of the population is aged 65 and older, which is demographic most likely to develop Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. According to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, about 13.6 percent of the residents have cognitive conditions and may fare better by living in an Alzheimer's Special Care Unit      (SCU), as they're known across Pennsylvania. Licensing and governing the operation of these SCUs, including the two located in Erie County, is the responsibility of The Office of Long-Term Living.

• Erie County's violent crime rate of 44.5 is more than 13 points above the U.S. average of 31.1. However, the property crime rate of 41.0 is only three points higher than the national norm of 38.1. SCUs are required to have security measures in place to prevent patients from leaving the SCU and to keep strangers off the premises, which should help families feel that their loved ones are safe.
• The air quality in Erie County is very good, according to the American Lung Association, which gives the area an "A" grade for particle pollution and a "C" for high ozone levels. This may help seniors feel easier about the air quality's effect on their health.
• In Pennsylvania, seniors aged 60 and older receive tax exemptions for their pensions, retirement accounts, Social Security benefits, or other retirement income. Sales tax in the state is low, which may help families save more money for memory care.
• Erie County is home to world-class medical facilities, including those specializing in brain health and dementia care, such as Saint Vincent Hospital and Saint Vincent Hospital Urgent Care West Side, in the event of medical emergencies or illness.

Memory Care costs in Erie County start around $5,014 per month on average, while the nationwide average cost of memory care is $5,694 per month.

It’s important to note that memory care rates in Erie County and the surrounding suburbs can vary widely based on factors such as location, the level of care needed, apartment size and the types of amenities offered at each community.

Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Memory Care in Pennsylvania page.

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for memory care, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance memory care costs include:

• Veterans Benefits
• Life Insurance Policy
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in Pennsylvania page.

Erie County-area memory care communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all memory care communities in Pennsylvania are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in Pennsylvania page for more information about these laws.